Jamaica Carnival Season 2020 January 24- April 22nd
You may know Jamaica for Dancehall, Reggae, Usain Bolt, Bob Marley and delicious food, but Carnival is also HUGE asset to the island attracting many visitors from around the globe. What makes Jamaica Carnival unique is the mixture of cultures through the music. Soca and Bacchanal music are the staple in Caribbean Carnivals in countries like Trinidad and Tobago, but in Jamaica, they have created their own vibe mixing in Reggae, Dancehall and popular music along with Soca..
Carnival season is just about to kick off on the island of Jamaica starting Friday January 24th-April 22nd. There will be numerous events across the island with the major ones taking place around the New Kingston area. Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril will see events throughout the season as well.
The official 2020 dates for Jamaica Carnival ( major events) begins Thursday 16th April 2020 and finishes on Monday 20th April 2020.
Major events of the season.
- Bacchanal Fridays
- Beach Jouvert
- Reveller’s Fete
- Bacchanal Jouvert
- Road March
Keep in mind those are just the major and highly sponsored events, but there are many many more taking place all over the island. Here is a list of events via El Google
Below is the after movie of Bacchanal Jouvert 2019 held at Mass Camp in Kingston. Mass Camp is one of the locations that will see weekly events for carnival lovers to flock too starting on January 24th.
The Road March
Individuals from all walks of life gather in the streets to dance, drink, eat and have an IRIE good time. The road March which is the grand finally, will be held on Sunday, April 19th, 2020.
The Costumes
The extravagant costumes don't come cheap. Costumes can run you anywhere from a couple hundred USD to thousands of USD. The average price starts at around $400 and the add ons will see it building up quickly to $1,000. Here is the website of one of the major costume creators, Bacchanal lost kingdoms. Other costume creators include Xodus and Xaymaca among others. Don't worry. you don't have to buy a costume to party hard and enjoy yourself.
Without a doubt, Carnival in Jamaica has grown and become an annual economic boom to the island. Carnival Jamaica is a brand on its own but still gives homage to the originals in Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago.
Count me in
I am ready to go LOL.
nope never been but wouldn't mind going!
It is an awesome experience.
So @dmilliz
How many times have you been and how old at each occurrence?
Kind of like New Years
Eve in Times Square.
Have to go at least once.
Gotta put on list.
Nice post.
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I used to go every year when I was a teen to mid twenties. Didn’t really like carnival per say but I loved the eye candy. The events are cool as it’s a different vibe from the dancehall scene and the ladies are friendly. I remember one year I was a camera man for @ganjactivist and we were filming Jouvert, Destra ( or some other soca female artiste ) was performing and man do camera men get love from the stars 😄
That's a great tale there. Made me smile and chuckle.
Good looking guy gotta receive the lovin'.
Just missed it 😸, would have definetely tried to sit on a porch or someplace along the route and watch everything go by
Yup! That was me every year chilln and watching while sippin and blazin:)
Carnivals in Jamaica must be great. I love the music of that season. The picturesque costumes here in Venezuela are about to begin.
Beautiful photos I loved the video @dmilliz
Nice! I can imagine you love the costumes hehehe. Share some pics and talk about Carnival in Venezuala.
Wow, pure adrenaline can be breathed there, there is no need for a ganja to be activated in that rumba, I need to be there and live the emotion that is felt.
LOL you are right, no need for Ganja as it will slow you down. Rum is the influencer of choice at Carnival, the spirits are free and wild lol
Im super super duper interested in going, never been to any carnival, though there's one that happens in Calabar, Nigeria,...
Also colourful and nice but I want the Jamaican carnival more.
I just got the info about Carnival from this post you share and frankly i imagine that i can be there for amazing event. Great!
Oh friend, you made me long for the carnivals in southern Venezuela.
Specifically the Carnivals of "El Callao" in the state of Bolivar, declared by UNESCO as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity.
In this party predominates the music Calipso. But it is a Calipso of Venezuela called "Calipso del Callao". It is different from the calypso of Trinidad in which steelband predominate.
I have some cousins that live there and have a group, I have lived unforgettable experiences with them.
Bredda, that fusion must sound excellent!
There are many holidays!
Hugs Bredda!